[FilmGuy]

After deciding to get help for alcoholism about four years ago, and finding out that I also had depression, I recently (3 months ago) was diagnosed also with adult ADD. Treating my depression has been futile over the last 3 years of trying to do so, but I finally feel like my doctor may be on to something. The more I research ADD, it is hard for me to understand how it took so long for the diagnosis to be given to me! Is this normal for ADD diagnosis, especially in adults? I know I never considered it since I really had only heard of ADD as a child's diagnosis when kids who were hyper and couldn't concentrate in school, so it was odd at first when my doctor said I may have ADD, but like I said before the more I learn about ADD, the more dead on the diagnosis seems to be! Any thoughts? Thanks.

[Skully]

I wasn't diagnosed with ADHD until I was an adult so it is possible. When I look back on my childhood and the things I did all through my life it makes sense now. All the pieces of the puzzle came together with that diagnosis.

[bananna215]

I was diagnosed with adhd when I was 20 & have been battling & trying 2 deal with it 4 the last 10 years... but I was also diagnosed with bipolar & ocd at that age so I'm not sure if my chemical imbalance combo advice will benefit you... but it just might! if you have any ?s, feel free 2 ask! oh, & welcome! I just joined yesterday myself & this is my very 1st post.

[sunrise]

I find it very possible indeed that you may have ADHD but not have been diagnosed before this. For almost two years now, I have been seeing a PNP who treats me for ADHD. I did not know before then that certain symptoms I had were typical of ADHD. She says it's not unusual to not be diagnosed as a child, especially in females, especially with the inattentive type of ADHD, and of course especially for me since I am old enough that they didn't diagnose children frequently in my youth (if at all?). In addition, I am relatively high functioning, so I was able to manage symptoms fairly well on my own without intervention. I came up with lots of behavioral "tricks" that helped me get through school and work, e.g. even simple things like isolating myself during difficult tasks to avoid distraction, not playing music while I was studying, etc. As I've aged, it's gotten harder to self-manage my symptoms. My PNP also told me that ADHD, anxiety, and depression can frequently be intertwined and it can take a while to sort out what is what, so this is not easy to diagnose.

In the end, it probably doesn't matter if I have ADHD or not. I am not really sure I do--I haven't internalized that idea yet! But I do know I have quite a few "ADHD-like symptoms", and my PNP has been prescribing meds for me that help people with ADHD. I take Bupropion and Vyvanse. They really help me, and that is what is important.

FilmGuy, do you think you want to pursue medical treatment of your ADHD symptoms? Or behavioral treatment? You mentioned depression--stimulants can certainly help with that, although are rarely prescribed for someone who is depressed unless they also present with ADHD. So having this ADHD diagnosis may open up new medication alternatives for you that could help with your depression. Together, my Bupropion and Vyvanse make me feel pretty d**m good (moodwise).

Good luck.